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Golden Triangle & Kerala - 14 days

Uncover the delights of India’s famed Golden Triangle - Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, then head south to tropical Kerala. Visit historic Fort Kochi and the picturesque hill station of Munnar with its verdant tea plantations, relax in sleepy Kumarakom and spend a night aboard a house-boat, gliding along the palm fringed backwaters.

Itinerary

Saturday. Upon arrival at Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The following morning, attend our welcome meeting before we set out on a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. In the evening, we enjoy a namaste dinner at our hotel.Overnight: Delhi | Breakfast x 1, Dinner x 1

Delhi - Jaipur. Today we drive to the Pink City of Jaipur - the vibrant capital of the state of Rajasthan. Sightseeing includes a tour of the City Palace which is a wonderful example of Rajput architecture and Jantar Mantar - the world’s largest stone astronomical observatory.

On day 4 early-risers can opt for a morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur, and sail over hilltop forts, regal palaces, sleepy villages and stone carved temples. Today we travel beyond Jaipur to the beautiful 16th century Amber Fort. We then stop at a cotton weaving house to see a demonstration of fabric dying and block printing before returning to Jaipur. Evening at leisure.Overnight: Jaipur | Breakfast x 2

Day 5

Abhaneri step well

Jaipur - Abhaneri - Bharatpur. Departing Jaipur, we stop in the village of Abhaneri to see Chand Baori, which is the largest and deepest step well in the world. This incredible well has a staggering 3500 steps and is 13 stories deep. Next, we discover local life, traditions and visit the village school (if open) where we operate our ‘Change for Children’ programme. After hotel check in at Bharatpur and time to freshen up we visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we’ll enjoy a leisurely bicycle rickshaw ride through the park.Overnight: Bharatpur | Breakfast, Dinner

Bharatpur - Agra. En route to Agra, we visit Fatehpur Sikri, former imperial capital of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Built between 1569 and 1585, it has been deserted for more than four centuries, by all accounts abandoned in 1600 due to a meagre supply of water. In Agra, we visit the impressive Agra Fort before touring the legendary Taj Mahal and witnessing a glorious golden sunset. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically died in childbirth in 1631, the Taj Mahal in Agra is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains one of India’s most enduring symbols.Overnight: Agra | Breakfast

Delhi - Kochi. We catch an early morning flight to Kochi today, in the beautiful southern state of Kerala. With a history that has seen Jewish exiles and Portuguese, Dutch and British colonisation, Kochi is a melting pot of culture and architectural styles. After some time to freshen up and explore, later this evening we will watch a Kathakali dance performance, a must in Kerala with colourful costume and meticulous movements.Overnight: Kochi | Breakfast

Kochi - Munnar. On the morning of day 9 we enjoy a guided tour of historic Fort Kochi. We'll see the large Chinese fishing nets that decorate the coast and explore the winding streets of the old town, visiting St. Francis Church - the oldest European church in India, Paradesi Synagogue (exterior only) and a Dutch palace. After touring we drive east to Munnar, a picturesque hill station surrounded by verdant tea plantations.

On day 10 we'll take a stroll through one of the many tea plantations that this region is famous for. Our guide will brief us on the different varieties of tea produced in Munnar and how they are processed. There will be a chance to visit a local market before heading back to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your own leisure. Overnight: Munnar | Breakfast x 2, Dinner x 2

Day 11

Kerala Backwaters

Munnar - Alleppey - Keralan backwaters. Departing Munnar early this morning a 4-5 hour drive through gorgeous scenery will bring us to Alleppey where we will board a simply furnished private rice-boat for a picturesque and leisurely cruise through Kerala's backwaters. Passing palm-fringed shores and small villages, this is the best way to witness rural life on the backwaters and enjoy the stunning scenery. Meals will be prepared on board with fresh, local ingredients so you can sit back and relax as all is taken care of.Overnight: Deluxe Rice Boat | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Keralan Backwaters - Kumarakom. After our final meal on board the houseboat on day 12 we disembark at Kumarakom, a cluster of islands on Lake Vembanad. This sleepy hamlet is surrounded by a maze of tropical waterways and shrubs, the ideal spot to while away a couple of days. Soak up the scenery, kick back at the hotel or consider visiting the local bird sanctuary - spread across 14 acres it's popular with migratory birds including Siberian cranes and parrots. Overnight: Kumarakom | Breakfast x 2

Kumarakom - Kochi. Today marks the end of our memorable journey. After breakfast, we travel back to Kochi with an included transfer to the airport. Please note: Flights from Kochi should depart after 2pm.Breakfast

Extend Your Stay At The Beach

Extend your stay in sun kissed Kerala with a relaxing beach break. Located in the picturesque fishing village of Mararikulam near Alleppey, Marari beach is fringed by limitless lines of coconut palms. Ideal for some rest and relaxation! Please contact us for details.

Prices & Dates

Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who would like their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price.

The Piccadily, Delhi

The grand lobby of the Piccadily is a perfect introduction to this elegant luxury property. Rooms are bright, airy and furnished in a sophisticated and contemporary fashion. Staff are helpful, attentive and go above and beyond to make sure your stay is a memorable and happy one. Dining at popular Zune and contemporary Twenty-9 is highly recommended.
Located in the west of town, close to the airport. Access to the rest of the city is very simple with the Janakpuri West Metro station just next door.

Mandawa Haveli, Jaipur

The beautiful heritage style Mandawa Haveli is a fine example of typical Rajasthan architecture - set in terraced gardens with pretty courtyards. All rooms are well appointed with intricately carved wooden beds and king-size royal portraits. An evening spent enjoying a lavish Rajasthani dinner in front of a traditional folk dance is highly recommended.
Well located in the heart of Jaipur city on Sansar Chandra Road, just a few minute’s drive from the Palace of the Winds.

Udai Vilas Palace, Bharatpur

Set amongst 2 acres of landscaped gardens, the Udai Vilas Palace is a traditional hotel taking guests back to a bygone era. Guest rooms are spacious and well equipped with comfortable beds and large windows. The hotel is famous for its barbecue nights and Rajasthani Folklore evenings. On an evening why not grab a nice cold beer and sit by the pool - a great way to end the day!
Well located near the Bharatpur Bird sanctuary - great for keen twichers!

Seven Hills Tower, Agra

The modern and stylish Seven Hills Tower hotel boasts a range of facilities and services designed to ensure the quality of each traveller's stay. Guests can enjoy a dip in the rooftop pool or laze on the sun loungers before heading to the equally lofty restaurant for some mouth-watering Mughlai cuisine. The spacious guestrooms are elegantly decorated with neutral colours and fabrics covered with traditional patterns and all have excellent ensuite facilities. Why not head to the rooftop pool and al fresco dining area for beautiul views of the Taj - perfect for a sunset drink.

Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel, Munnar

Set in the valley of the Kennan Devan Hills, the Clouds Valley Leisure Hotel is a contemporary accommodation. Guest rooms are bright and spacious with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Rooms are also all en suite, have modern amenities and comfortable beds. The hotel benefits from an onsite restaurant that serves up a tasty selection of both Indian and South Indian food as well as Chinese and European dishes.

Deluxe Houseboat, Alleppey

There are few things as serene and tranquil as floating along the Keralan backwaters in the comfort of a luxurious houseboat. Deluxe houseboats are elegantly furnished, with up to four bedrooms, equipped with modern en suites, an open lounge, dining area and a deck to relax and admire the beautiful views of the lush green palms and rice paddies. Air conditioning operates in the bedrooms between 9pm to 6am only. The cruises are full board, with tasty meals freshly prepared by the onboard chef.

Eastend Lakesong, Kumarakom

Nestled among the serene backwaters of Kumarakom, Eastend Lakesong comprises of 8 acres of facility packed leisure land. Guests sleep in villas and cottages, which are all well furnished with colourful interiors and comfortable beds. The onsite restaurants offer an excellent selection of local and international cuisine. Why not treat yourself to a relaxing massage at the Ayurveda on site Spa? It is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of exploring in the fierce Indian heat.

Reviews

Scoring an average traveller rating of 4.33
out of 5
based on 6 recent reviews

This was our first time with On the Go so we weren't sure what to expect. However from our initial transfer at New Delhi airport we felt very happy with our choice of tour and company. Our guide Sat was very personable and helpful with requests. His knowledge of his home country was very extensive and relayed the information in The Golden Triangle part of the tour ( 19 people) was very much "on the go" however there was a lot of area to cover in this week. When we flew to Kerala the pace was a lot slower and as there were only 3 people we did not have a guide, just a driver. But this was not a problem and he was very professional and gave us a wide range of information. It was great to see both the northern and southern parts of India, such a range of intensity, sights, food and cultures. We would definitely recommend On the Go to others and are looking forward to doing another tour with this company next year. ”

Patricia Chipchase &bullet; Submitted 02 Apr 2017

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Sat was brilliant. Knowledge and context of the sites visited was detailed and interesting. His overall manner was very engaging and nothing was too much trouble. Extemely flexible and approachable. First rate”

Stephen Kettle &bullet; Submitted 27 Feb 2017

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Satish was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer our questions about the city and culture. He was also very good at providing practical tips where appropriate (eg: max prices to pay, where to buy things (and where not to buy)) to ensure we had an enjoyable trip.

The Golden Triangle part of the tour felt very rushed. It would have been nice to have a bit of spare time to explore the cities.

Kerala was very relaxing and all that we had expected from the 2nd leg of our trip. The level of hotel/hotel-restaurant service was lacking overall during this week however when we were staying in Munnar and also at the resort (after the boat cruise). This was noted in the feedback form completed at the end of our tour.”

Andrea Rowlands &bullet; Submitted 14 Feb 2016

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Yogi was very nice and a good knowledge about what we saw, the whole tour was jam packed.

The hotel we stayed in in Delhi was not very good for food and the area was not nice

Alex was very good also!!

Overall a very good trip, and would use you again!!”

Pauline Farrier &bullet; Submitted 22 Nov 2014

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Yogi was a great tour guide interesting and knowledgable and he interacted well with the members of the group. The tour was well arranged and had a degree of fleability. ”

Linda Tunstall &bullet; Submitted 21 Nov 2014

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Both the tour and the guide were excellent.”

John Kinloch &bullet; Submitted 18 Nov 2014

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We both really enjoyed the tour, The company was great, tour guide brilliant. We were a little anxious about going to India but had a fantastic time and can't wait to go somewhere else.
”

Janet Bateman &bullet; Submitted 19 Mar 2014

“

Satendra was an absolute pleasure. He was friendly, organized, reliable, carine and a great leader. He showed compassion and was quick to think of alternate activities when things did not go as scheduled. He showed genuine interest and I was thoroughly impressed. He is a fantastic guide and i felt secure. Would definitely recommend this company.
”

Lisa Jacques &bullet; Submitted 19 Mar 2014

“

I have been with on the go a few times before & also with multiple other tour companies & Satendra was the best guide I have had. He was incredibly organised, helpful, full of knowledge & went beyond his responsibility at all times to create an incredible experience & trip. I really enjoyed the tour & look forward to next on the go trip.
”

Kylie Clark &bullet; Submitted 20 Nov 2013

“

Hi Cherylyn

You're right! It was a fantastic holiday, and an eye-opening experience.

We did complete feedback forms for both the Golden Triangle and Captivating Kerala sections of the tour, but for your information I am repeating some of the points we raised:

• The "meet & greet" at Delhi and Kochi airports (including the transfer arrangements) were truly excellent - your representatives (Raj and Anurag plus their helpers) did a fantastic job

• The admin arrangements by you were also excellent (take a bow Cherylyn!)

• The coach driver for the Golden Triangle (Singh) was truly amazing in his skill - he deserved a medal (we gave him an extra large tip!)

• The guide for Kerala (Alec) was THE BEST - he cared for us, he kept us informed, he was knowledgeable, and he made side trips to show us extra things

• The hotels were all to a pretty good standard, but two of them (Travancore Court and Eastend) were alcohol free, which was a pity.

• Whoever designed the Kerala section with two days of relaxation at the end at the Lake Song resort, deserves a medal - it was perfect.

This was our first time with On the Go so we weren't sure what to expect. However from our initial transfer at New Delhi airport we felt very happy with our choice of tour and company. Our guide Sat was very personable and helpful with requests. His knowledge of his home country was very extensive and relayed the information in The Golden Triangle part of the tour ( 19 people) was very much "on the go" however there was a lot of area to cover in this week. When we flew to Kerala the pace was a lot slower and as there were only 3 people we did not have a guide, just a driver. But this was not a problem and he was very professional and gave us a wide range of information. It was great to see both the northern and southern parts of India, such a range of intensity, sights, food and cultures. We would definitely recommend On the Go to others and are looking forward to doing another tour with this company next year. ”

Life can be unpredictable and we understand that sometimes it’s necessary to change or delay your travel plans. With our LIFETIME DEPOSIT guarantee, you can book our Signature tours safe in the knowledge that if you’re unable to travel, your deposit is fully transferable and will be held for an unlimited time.

Prices shown are per person travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person apply when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who would like their own room and needs to be added to the 'Twin/Double' price.

If you are happy to be paired up with another single traveller of the same sex on your tour, this can be arranged, thus avoiding the single person supplement.

Departure dates noted with a 'G' are guaranteed to operate. All other departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 2 persons.

This tour is also available on a private basis.

SPECIAL DEPARTURES:

14 OCTOBER 2017 tour includes special DIWALI arrangements, please visit the 'Festival Tours' section on the web and see our DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS TOUR for further details. A small supplement has been added to our tour price for this departure.

Signature

Exciting Days, Comfortable Nights

On The Go's Signature group tours place local interaction and authenticity at the heart of your cultural travel experience. Upping the comfort stakes, this range is a clear cut above our Adventure range.

Appealing to a wide age demographic from the 20s to 60+, we maximize your days with excitement and awe and then bring you home to a comfortable 4* hotel with western amenities, air-conditioning, WiFi and, where appropriate, a swimming pool. Hotels can sometimes be of 3 or 5 star standard too, ensuring you get the best value for your holiday.

Visiting all the main attractions you’ll be accompanied throughout by our highly qualified English-speaking local guides too. Group size is typically 18 with a maximum for 28, apart from festival tours, where group sizes can be larger due to the one-off nature of these events.

Guaranteed Departures

This tour is 100% guaranteed to depart with travellers.

Compare Tours

Select up to 3 tours to compare prices, itineraries and complete tour options:

For all our tours and tailor-made holidays we provide you with a clear categorisation of all hotels we use. The REGIONAL CATEGORY indicates the local rating of each hotel in each respective country. We have also rated each hotel using OUR CATEGORY, which will be in line with generally accepted western hotel grading standards.

SimpleBasic hotels and simple accommodation is a no frills option with an adventurous authentic feel.

StandardStandard accommodation equates to a Western 3-star standard, always featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant.

SuperiorSuperior accommodation equates to a Western 4-star standard, featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant and often a swimming pool and/or a fitness centre.

DeluxeDeluxe accommodation equates to a Western 5-star standard, usually featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, excellent service and customer care.

LavishLavish accommodation equates to a Western 5-star plus standard - the creme de la creme. Featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, this accommodation is a cut above the rest. Sheer opulence!

Tipping Kitty

Tipping is not a natural part of many Western cultures and many of us feel uncomfortable, or unsure, about when, or how much, to tip. However, in India, tipping makes up a significant part of many people's wages so it's important that we get it right. For this reason we've developed a very simple system to take all the hassle out of tipping. With our 'tipping made easy' policy, a nominal pre-determined amount is collected from all group tour participants to cover tips en route. This then saves you the hassle of when and how much to tip bellhops, luggage handlers, local guides and other support staff through the tour. Our 'tipping made easy' doesn't include a tip to your group tour leader. Naturally, though, the amount is up to you as tipping is an entirely personal gesture.

India Group Tours

The sites of India’s Golden Triangle - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - form the base of all our trips with each individual tour offering something unique from the desert towns of Rajasthan, friendly rural villages and holy rivers to breathtaking hill stations, lush backwaters and tropical beaches. Escorted by qualified English-speaking local guides, we include airport arrival and departure transfers, all of your transportation, and accommodation in locally-owned 3-4 star hotels and heritage properties where you will be sure to enjoy India's warm hospitality.

Our average group size in India is 15–20 travellers and you'll be guided throughout by a local tour leader, subject to a minimum of 6 in the group. We kick off with a Namaste Welcome Dinner in Delhi, where you get to meet your travelling companions over a traditional Indian meal before you all head off on your adventures! What makes our guided group tours unique?